Masters & Dyck latest players to be inducted into the Warriors hall of fame – DiscoverMooseJaw.com

Over 200 people packed the ice at the Moose Jaw Events Center Thursday night to see former Warriors players Kevin Masters and Paul Dyck being inducted into the Conexus Warriors and Legends Hall of Fame.

Friends and family of the two, former players, their play-by-play broadcaster and dignitaries flocked to see both Masters and Dyck get the call at the hall.

A video montage was created prior to the speeches for both players, which included former teammates, Billets, their coach and then-Warriors voice Rob Carnie. They shared stories, recounted each of their playing careers with the Warriors, and had a few laughs.

It is safe to say that emotions ran high for both Masters, Dyck and their family and friends in attendance.

For Calgary product Kevin Masters, the honor of joining a long list of Warrior legends in the Hall of Fame was something he didn’t see coming.

“As Derek [Kletzel] When I called in December, I checked the calendar to make sure it wasn’t April 1, Masters says. “As it got closer, I started to realize how much the Warriors put into it, how special it is and how lucky I am to be invited and to be a part of it.”

“It’s still surreal. You feel happy but still wonder if it was right,” adds Masters. “You have to take a moment and think about yourself and look at your career and say you’ve had a good career.”

Masters played 246 regular season games at Moose Jaw from 1988 to 1992 as a defenseman. He finished with 38 goals, 108 assists and 146 points, making him the sixth-best defender in the organization’s history.

After his four years in the Western Hockey League, he used the league’s scholarship fund to attend the University of Calgary.

The champion says there is literally no price for having a facility like the scholarship fund that players can use to get a post-secondary education and continue playing hockey.

“Being able to leave Junior and decide to go to college is nice to be wanted and play hockey for a few more years. Education is maybe a little better in Canada than in the United States,” he said with a grin on his face.

Masters degree with a degree in Kinesiology. He is currently a strength and conditioning coach, working with the general population as well as adult and youth competitive athletes in a variety of sports.

He now resides in Edmonton with his wife, Kathryn, and their two sons, Kyle and Lucas. Lukas plays U18AAA with OHA Edmonton while Kyle follows in his father’s footsteps and plays the WHL for the Kamloops Blazers.

“He’s a lot better than me and is driven in a way I’ve never seen. He is doing well and very lucky to be in Kamloops.”

He concluded by saying Thursday’s ceremony was very special and a night he will never forget.

Kevin Masters during his speech on Thursday evening.

Over to Paul Dyck, who joined Moose Jaw from Steinbach, Manitoba and played 144 regular season games in a Warrior uniform.

This was a very special evening for Dyck as he was back in town for the first time in quite some time.

“Meeting some people I haven’t seen in years is extremely memorable, going back to Rob Carnie who was our play-by-play guy and some of the people in the video tribute along with Kletz. ‘ Dyck explains. “Then going in with Kevin is also very special because I thought the world of him.”

Paul Dyck’s unveiling of the plague on Thursday night.

In 144 games, Dyck had 17 goals, 51 assists and 68 points and was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft.

After graduating from WHL, he played hockey professionally, including 714 games in the IHL, followed by five seasons abroad in Germany.

After his playing career, Dyck returned home in 2010 to coach the Steinbach Pistons of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL), where he enjoyed tremendous success.

Dyck notes that his current success with the Pistons stems from his time at Moose Jaw with the Warriors.

“It started with how the coaches treated me along with the opportunity they gave me and I found them to be very honest and transparent with me. That’s something I’m trying to do with our players.”

In 2011, Dyck assumed the role of interim head coach in December 2011. In 2012 he was appointed general manager and head coach. Dyck holds the record for the fastest head coach to win 250 games, and on November 5, 2022, he won his 400th game.

“I love the level and age group, I’m in my hometown and we have a great board and owners and the community has bought into it. It was a special run.”

He has led the Pistons to two championships in 2013 and 2018 and was named MJHL Coach of the Year in 2017 and 2018. Paul, his wife Candice and children Annikah, Nate and Lucas live in Steinbach, Manitoba.

Dyck concluded by saying it was an honor to be inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside the likes of Theo Fleury and Mike Keane.

“It’s pretty surreal. On Wednesday I watched the U18 AAA game, walked around the rink and admired the building. I sat there feeling humiliated by it.”

Paul Dyck was emotional during his introductory speech on Thursday evening.

The two will also be honored by hometown fans ahead of Friday night’s game between the Warriors and the Winnipeg ICE.

The Conexus Warriors and Legends Hall of Fame is located on the north side of the hall at the Moose Jaw Events Centre.